Red tides have been sighted at seven beaches over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (January 13).
 
     The red tides were reported by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on January 11 at Deep Water Bay Beach, Repulse Bay Beach, South Bay Beach and Middle Bay Beach on Hong Kong Island, and Golden Beach, Cafeteria New Beach and Castle Peak Beach in Tuen Mun.
 
     The red tides at South Bay Beach and Middle Bay Beach have dissipated while others still persist. No associated death of fish has been reported.
 
     A spokesman for the working group said, "All red tides were formed by Phaeocystis globosa, which is non-toxic and commonly found in Hong Kong waters."
 
     The non-toxic red tides reported earlier at Junk Bay, Deep Bay to Urmston Road and southwestern waters of Hong Kong including Ma Wan, Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan and Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zones still persist.
 
     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue monitoring red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

Ends/Friday, January 13, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:00

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